Anyone had a hip replacement?

[AmandaHoldensLips]

If so, how did you know your hip was buggered? Did it come on suddenly and how debilitating was it?

I'd be very interested to know what your tell-tale symptoms were and how long before you knew you needed a replacement.

Not me personally ( yet ) but congenital hip dysplasia is rife in my family.
Despite medical intervention when they were young ( callipers , plaster cast , frames ) all of my older relatives have had to have one or both hips replaced.
A lot of them were considered to young to have them replaced when it was needed ( 40/50 yrs old ) but with medical advances we are lasting longer with our own hips.
However I have no doubt that I will need them doing within the next 10 years .

Symptoms have varied between people, generally the women seemed to of got the sharp end of the stick.
Dull ache, stiffness, having to swing legs out sideways rather than forwards, gritty feeling and as time goes on ( years ) inability to walk at all.
A lot of Morphine was given to some more recently cortisone injections have worked for most of us.

I have to say, I know 3 people (all women) who have had hip replacements and they all wish they hadn't. (All 68-74 y.o.) The had trick hips before, and were in a degree of discomfort and a bit of pain sometimes (Though naproxen and cocodomol helped.) Since the hip replacement(s) they are in much more pain and discomfort. I know this wouldn't be the same for all, but I think I would have to be in a lot of constant serious pain before I had hip replacement(s.)

I had one last summer for hip dysplasia that I wasn’t aware I had until about 3 years ago. I’d been having trouble for a bit on and off then it got bad very quickly and by the time I had surgery I was on 2 sticks and could barely move. Unfortunately I lost a lot of muscle mass due to the inactivity whilst waiting.

It uas been brilliant and I am grateful for it every day. I am still a bit sore at times but I think a lot of that is inflammation from psoriatic arthritis .

I was home the same day and able to get upstairs to bed.

I had a hip replacement last year (age 64) and it's been the best thing ever - changed my life! I went from hardly being able to walk to walking for miles with no pain or discomfort. Funnily enough when the pain first started I had no idea it was a hip problem as the pain was in my thigh and I thought it was muscular. When I found I was constantly limping I eventually went to the GP (wish I'd gone sooner) who referred me to a physio who took some xrays. I had hip dysplasia. The consultant told me hip problems can present as pain in the leg or knee and not necessarily in the hip so it's worth checking out any unusual discomfort. Don't waste time wondering what it is - go to the GP, get a referral and get on the waiting list. Good luck!

I had a slipped epiphysis (growth spurt in the night) aged 12, which dislocated my hip. I had to have traction for 2 weeks, after which, they pinned my hip in place. I spent years in agony every single day, but got used to the pain. I walked like a penguin, with one foot splayed out because the joint was totally buggered once the pins were out.
I then had to wait until I could barely walk (aged 43) before I could be referred for a hip replacement. I couldn't even walk up a very slight incline.
Had it done in 2012 and it was the best thing I ever did! It's sadly starting to fail now, but as you can only have 2 replacements, I'm hanging on as long as I can.
The only people I've come across who have said they're in pain, or it hasn't worked, are the ones it turns out, who didn't do the follow up exercises! Every time I got up, washed up, did anything, I did the exercises. Even in the shower!
I know mine isn't the typical story, but seriously it was the best thing I did. I even had it under local anaesthetic, which I would highly recommend too! Even though I'm a wuss, that was also the best thing I did!
Good luck if you go for it OP! 🌷

i’m 58 and had both hips replaced and very glad i did . I do still get some pain occasionally as i have osteo but nothing like it used to be. The first time was 7 years ago and i’d had hip pain for 9 years at that point but consultant wouldn’t operate because he said i was too young. Then one day at work my hip kind of locked while i was getting up from my desk and i couldn’t use that leg at all. Had to call an ambulance. Was discharged the next day and had a date for my op within a few weeks.

Developed terrible hip pain, one side only. Was convinced my hip joint was on its way out. Knew GP wouldn’t do anything so I paid for a scan. Hip joint fine but bursitis diagnosed. Has improved with exercises, not perfect but better than it was.

I was the same as you: I thought the problem was my leg. I didn't believe the GP at first when they said it was my hip that was causing my difficulty walking.

I was on the waiting list for the operation for about 6 months or more and by the time I had the operation I could hardly walk at all.

The recovery from the operation was a nightmare. But it changed my life. It was just wonderful having the freedom to be able to walk again.

I’ve just had my second hip arthroscopy due to dysplasia bilaterally and labral tears. I’m desperate for replacements but at 38 they won’t do them as I’m too young. The pain tonight is bad, the recently operated side hurts and the other side where it’s compensating (had that side operated on 15 months ago).

I did way too much ballet when I was young. My hip problems developed in my 50s slowly over about five years, so I got used to the pain as it got worse, even when I had to start using a stick. It took a group of friends nagging me to make a GP appointment to discuss it, and he referred me immediately for a hip replacement. I honestly didn’t realise how bad it was till I came round after surgery, and even with the post-op soreness, it felt SO much better - no more pain in the joint. The bones had been rubbing against one another for years, and then it was moving freely again. I went home able to climb stairs two days after the op.

It was life-changing. I was back at work (on my feet all day) after four weeks, and now walk for miles, go to the gym four or five times a week, and have no pain at all.

I had a hip replacement. I was in severe pain all down my leg. In the end there were times I couldn’t walk at all. Saw the x-ray - the ball joint had completely crumbled. Never looked back - woke up from the op pain free. did the exercises and , hey presto, I was a new woman.

I'm stage 4 osteoarthritis in my right hip ( 2 in left).. I'm going for replacement as soon as l and my surgeon feel I'm down to a low enough weight for the operation ( I'm on mounjaro).
I'm paying private. I've been in so much agony for years.. spasms and it giving way.. l use a walking stick and a wheelchair.

I had a hip replacement at 38 due to early onset arthritis caused by hip dysplasia. I was in constant pain, walked with a limp and was starting to get back problems due to my posture. Honestly the best thing I ever did. I've been 8 years pain free so far with no sign of wear on the new joint despite being really active.

Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and experiences. I'm sort of in denial and hoping the pain just goes away, which is stupid.

@pinesofrome my thigh is agony so I can really relate to what you're saying. And like @Rocknrollstar it's kind of affecting my whole leg.

I thought I'd check in with the viper's nest before throwing in the towel and calling the doc. You are all amazing. Thank you.

I was just like you! Don't ignore it - the pain will get worse and the wait time is at least 6 months on NHS. Don't waste your life suffering more than is necessary. Surgery changed my life and it's still a huge novelty to be pain free and able to walk without limping. Best of luck!

Congenital Hip Dysplasia here too (from birth, late discovery). My hips were slowly deteriorating, the worst one I had replaced a few years ago (age 30).I knew it was time when I was getting daily pain walking on it and it was very stiff with fairly short walks. i was constantly trying to stretch it out for some relief, but once the cartilage is gone it's gone. It wasn't pleasant going through the op and the recovery but its been brilliant after, I almost completely forget it isn't a real hip except for an occasional click sensation if I bend it an odd way. It is sometimes a little hard feeling if I lay on that side- i feel more comfortable now sleeping with the duvet tucked between my knees.

Overall its been a huge positive. My other hip will need replacing soon too, maybe a year or so until it tips into the really hindering life category. I'm not looking forward to repeating the recovery but it really is life changing after.

Similar to others, it got worse over time. I was fobbed off with physio saying it was my back, but I knew it wasn’t that. Eventually got an x-ray after phoning the gp saying I was worried I’d end up in a wheelchair.

got the hip done age 51. So far so good, the pain I had was immediately gone after surgery, and no limp.

My knee has been clunking around (I can hear it when I go up stairs) and I was wondering if it's because of the hip.

Or maybe it was a bit too much oops upside your head flailing around on a disco floor 40-odd years ago.

The recovery period is a challenge - it's vital that you do all the exercises (they get easier) and the painkillers help. The hardest bit was sleeping on my back for 6 weeks - agony! It's so worth it though.

Had a hip replacement on Tuesday home next day in terrible pain and tips please

Had one age 36 after 3 years of debilitating pain that I took dihydrocodeine for. No one believed me until I saw the specialist who said my hip was screwed and all they could do was a complete hip.
my other one is starting to play up now (14.5 years later) and I’ve had steroid injections in it which help.

For those of you with hip dysplasia were you offered PAO surgery to correct the problem or were you only offered a hip replacement?
I’ve just been diagnosed with significant dysplasia and PAO has been discussed as a possible treatment. I’ve been told that they wouldn’t do a hip replacement at this stage or at my age (I’m 44).

I had a total replacement at 38 due to dysplasia. The surgeon said that as the ceramic implants last a lot longer than they used to there was no real need to wait or try PAO if it was going to end in a replacement anyway.

I had a hip replacement in 2019. Couldn’t tie shoe laces and general aching in leg. Saw physio who said it was my hip. Well worth getting it done but you really need to follow exercise instructions.

The first 7-10 days is a killer but I promise it gets better very quickly after that. Stay on top of your painkillers, try to move around but dont push it too much. I found a pregnancy pillow helped in bed and let me sleep on my side as it kept my hip propped in the right position. I couldn't get to sleep on my back so the tiredness made me feel worse.